What began as a simple family gardening activity during the Covid-19 pandemic has evolved into a structured agricultural enterprise, accountant-turned-entrepreneur Jeacim Francis Adaya told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.

Fork Farms, an indoor hydroponic farming company based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, helps people grow their own food. Company founder and CEO Alex Tyink believes in the importance of building resiliency and access to fresh produce in communities.

“The whole purpose behind what we're doing is we're trying to get fresh food more within reach to everybody everywhere,” he said.

Launched: January 2025, the Bronx, New York

Goal: Bring year-round local food production and cross-disciplinary, place-based learning to an independent school campus in New York City

On Tuesday, Badger Elementary School unveiled a new indoor hydroponic growing system designed to expand access to fresh produce, strengthen nutrition education and support student wellbeing during a special community event.

Fork Farms has partnered with more than 5,000 institutions across 50 states and 22 countries. Together, those partners can grow nearly 2 million pounds of fresh food annually, and many are growing food for under $1 per pound. This matters because it means local food production can be practical, measurable, and economically competitive.

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the link between food choices and overall health, a new generation of students is poised to create major changes in the food industry. Students exposed to education models that embrace growing and valuing fresh produce will ultimately be tomorrow's customers.  

This shift has the potential to fundamentally alter how food companies operate, what products fill store shelves, and how food is marketed to consumers.